New rule for murals heads to city council

Wednesday

Aug 13, 2014 at 6:30 PM

By Annette.Manwell@hollandsentinel.com(616) 546-4270

A request to the city of Holland to lessen mural and sign restrictions has passed the planning commission and will be considered for the first time by the city council Wednesday, Aug. 20.While everyone on the planning commission seemed in favor of the recommendation, Councilman Brian Burch, who sits on the planning commission as well, voted no because it was still too strict for something “that is clearly art.”Burch agreed there had to be metrics to define the mural but “I’m struggling with this,” he said.The discussion started early in June when people were shocked to learn from Escape Ministries Executive Director Willie Watt that a city official said the painting would have to be made smaller or painted over. Because the painting reads “Escape,” it did not qualify as a mural but a sign. The painting is now about 200 square feet. Because the length of the building is 147 feet long, that is the number of square feet the sign can take up, according to current ordinances.Escape — which educates, provides jobs for and ministers to at-risk youth in the city — would like to paint further, including something to represent its boxing ministry. The painting in question depicts scenes the youth are trying to escape from, such as jail, and has scenic mountains and valleys as well.The person who called city hall to complain disagreed with the graffiti-like style.City officials said from the start they would work with Escape to amend the ordinances. It would need to be done in a way that would allow the art to remain but still limit how a business or organization can commercialize its exterior walls.Velo City Cycle also approached the city about a mural on its River Avenue building. The scene that was presented shows the sun and a landscape but also suggests bicycling. Under the current ordinance, that would not be allowed.The changes suggested by city staff would categorize murals. Murals with words or a suggestion of the business or service is inside the building would have to be reviewed by staff. The area that suggests what the business or organization does can only be 20 percent of the mural's overall space. The 20 percent is what Burch voted against. Planning Commission Chairman Brooke Anderson also voted no but did not state why.The Holland City Council will consider a first reading of the changes Wednesday. If approved, it will go to a second reading Sept. 3 for a public hearing and final approval. It can be tweaked by council during its review process.— Follow this reporter on Facebook or Twitter, @SentinelNetty.